Moistener.



J'. MOLLOY.

MOISTENER. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 6, 1909.

Patented Oct. 18, 1910.

THE mamas PETERS cm, wnsnmcrau. n. c.

TTNTTED STATES PATENT @EETCE.

JOSEPH 1V5. MOIJaOY, OF LENISTON, IDAHO.

MOISTENER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Josnrrr M. Mentor, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lewiston, in the county of Nez Force and State of Idaho, have invented new and useful Improvements in Moisteners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to moisteners designed particularly for oiiice use in moisten ing the flaps of envelops, stamps and the like, and the object of the invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive and etlicient device of this character which is always ready for use to facilitate the operation of sealing envelops, moistening and applying stamps and performing other like work.

The invention consists of the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which;

Figure 1 is a central vertical sectional view through a moistener embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the washer. Fig. 3 is a side view of the stopper and the upper portion of the wick.

Referring to the drawing, 1 designates a receptacle comprising a non-resilient bottom 2, a resilient or compressible body 8 and an internally threaded neck 4 at the upper end of said body, which neck is internally screw-threaded and provided at its base with an annular flange or shoulder The receptacle is preferably formed as a whole of rubber, and its body portion 3 is of sufficient resiliency to enable it to be compressed to a greater or less extent and adapt it to resume its normal shape after pressure has been removed. The body is also preferably made somewhat in the shape of an hour glass, its upper portion being of diminished diameter with respect to its lower portion, providing an intermediate contracted portion 6, adapting the device to be more conveniently and securely held in the hand and compressed as described. The receptacle is adapted to contain a body of water 7 for feed through a wick 8 which depends therein. The upper end of this wick, which is composed of felt or other absorbent material and flat in cross-section, extends through a corresponding here or passage in the stopper 9, which has an enlarged internally threaded lower end 10 inserted within and engaging the threads of the neck 4-, by

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 6, 1909.

Patented Oct. 18, 1910.

Serial No. 511,584.

which the latter is closed against the discharge of the water. In order to seal the neck against possible leakage of water when the device is inverted in use, a gasket or sealing disk or washer 11 is cemented or otherwise secured to the bottom face of the stopper and is clamped by the latter against the flange 5, as shown, thus preventing the upward passage of Water through the stop per except through the wick 8.

The body portion of the stopper 9 is angular in form, being substantially flat, so that it will move over and in close proximity to the gummed surface of an envelop flap or a stamp without injury to said flap or stamp. The upper end of the wick 8 projects beyond the stopper to form a brush portion 12, which is adapted to be rubbed over the gummed surface to be moistened or to transfer a portion of the water contained therein thereto.

In priming the device for use, the receptacle is first filled to the desired height with water and is then sealed by applying the stopper. A proportion of the water will be taken up by the wick 8 and pass by capillary attraction to the end or brush surface 12, the amount being ordinarily sufficient for use in moistening.

In the operation of the device, the receptacle is inverted and the brush surface 12 run over the gummed surface of the envelop or other surface to be moistened. If desired, however, the device may be left in normal upright position in applying stamps, and a row or strip of stamps, or individual stamp, gummed by running the same over or pressing them against the brush surface 12. If, in the use of the device, a sufficient amount of water is not fed to the brush surface 12 through the body of the wick, this may be compensated for and an additional amount supplied by compressing the resilient body 3 to bring the body of water into contact with the entire length of the wick or to forcibly expel a certain amount through the minute space or crevice between the wick and the wall of the bore of the stopper 9 through which the wick passes.

The device will be found exceptionally useful in sealing envelops, as, after the gummed surface of the flap of the envelop has been moistened and turned over, the bottom 2 of the receptacle may be wiped across the outer face of the flap to compress its gumnied surface against the body of the envelop and to secure an effective sealing action through a single motion of the hand of being provided with an annularly contract-V ed central portion, a slotted plug secured within the neck, and a fiat wick extending through the slot in the plug.

2. A moistener comprising a receptacle having a rigid base, a neck and a resilient body, said receptacle being adapted to contain a moistening fluid, a closure for the neck having a narrow rectangular slot extending therethrough, and a fiat wick of absorbent material extending into the receptacle and outward through the slot in said closure.

3. A moistener comprising a receptacle having a flat rigid base, an internally threaded neck'provided with a shoulder at the base thereof, and a resilient body inwardly ofiset or contracted at its center, a plug having a threaded portion engaging the threaded neck, and having a narrow rectangular slot extending therethrough, a gasket clamped between the plug and shoulder, and a flat wick depending into the receptacle and extending exteriorly through the slot in said plug.

In testimony whereof I atfiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH M. MOLLOY.

lVitnesses G120. W. TANNAHILL, SAMUEL E. ARANT. 

